Allen Parton and Endal with naval cadets.

Allen, wheelchair bound and with short and long term memory problems, and Endal, who hardly needs an introduction these days, have been a team every day for the past 10 years.

The RBL has replaced both Allen's ageing manual and power wheelchairs. Allen said most people tend to think of the poppy appeal as a fundraiser for those injured in the world wars, but the appeal "helps so many of us that have served in more recent conflicts, and their families".

"I found myself faced with nearly a £1000.00 repair bill on my nine-year-old power chair and the war pension does not stretch that far. I take Endal for his walks three times a day over the South Downs and my old wheelchair kept breaking down and had become unreliable - on one occasion I was left stranded for a couple of hours until help arrived.

"In desperation I contacted the British Legion on the Monday and asked for help, and on the very next day I was visited by the welfare representative. On the Wednesday I was being measured up by an Occupational therapist for a new power chair and on Thursday I was visited by the manual wheelchair fitter. The speed at which the RBL moved to get me back on the move was breathtaking and really does show that they are very reactive to those in desperate need.

"Every day in the press one reads of the casualties and fatalities being suffered by our servicemen and women. The effect on families and the injured can be catastrophic and the RBL through the poppy appeal can relieve so much suffering and hardship. Every penny that comes in to the poppy appeal makes such a real difference. From my own personal experience the public's support can make a huge difference to those struggling to survive and enables them to have a real quality of life."